Brunner

He's stronger than most rookies but there's still some room for improvement in that area. Compete level, skating and skills are all there. It'll come down to if he can bring a consistent effort, even when the league isn't "new and exciting" anymore.

He's stronger than most rookies but there's still some room for improvement in that area. Compete level, skating and skills are all there. It'll come down to if he can bring a consistent effort, even when the league isn't "new and exciting" anymore.

He's also 26, and basically in his prime. He's not going to get much better than he is right now, assuming we aren't seeing the best he has to offer. And he may well have already passed his actual peak while playing in the NLA; goal scorers often hit their peak before 25.

My favorite is definitely last night's snipe on the PP. He showed exactly what kind of player he is. Gets the puck from Z and makes bee line straight to the net and snipes it. Beauty.

Just a little note. I wouldn't really count it as a pp goal as it was off the rush, kronwall spotted him, was more bad line change/bad read from the wild. Brunner has done nothing on the PP so far tbh, he shouldn't be on the point, to start with.

He's also 26, and basically in his prime. He's not going to get much better than he is right now, assuming we aren't seeing the best he has to offer. And he may well have already passed his actual peak while playing in the NLA; goal scorers often hit their peak before 25.

He may have 3-5 years at his peak before we'll see a drastic decline. But if he can adapt his game, there is no reason why he can't still be an effective player. Guys like Ray Whitney are way past their prime, but very much effective.

He may have 3-5 years at his peak before we'll see a drastic decline. But if he can adapt his game, there is no reason why he can't still be an effective player. Guys like Ray Whitney are way past their prime, but very much effective.

If he can be a consistent 20+ goal guy for the next 3-5 years, I'd be fine with that. We need to re-sign him first, though.

He's also 26, and basically in his prime. He's not going to get much better than he is right now, assuming we aren't seeing the best he has to offer. And he may well have already passed his actual peak while playing in the NLA; goal scorers often hit their peak before 25.

He'll get better purely because it takes time to adjust to the NHL style of game.

Physically a players peak may be in their early to mid twenties, but overall, I'd say it's generally between 27 to 33 as that's when the brain catches up to the body. That is probably the peak earning period for most players because that's when they get the most out of their bodies, experience, and skill.

If he can be a consistent 20+ goal guy for the next 3-5 years, I'd be fine with that. We need to re-sign him first, though.

Yep and if he has a 30 or 35 point season we could be in a bit of cap trouble. But assuming that he finishes the year with a stat line of 15 Goals, 15 Assists what kind of contract would you offer him? I think I'd be willing to give him 2 years x 6 Million total.

He's also 26, and basically in his prime. He's not going to get much better than he is right now, assuming we aren't seeing the best he has to offer. And he may well have already passed his actual peak while playing in the NLA; goal scorers often hit their peak before 25.

I definitely disagree with your view. Take Diaz, 26, he is a D with the Habs. He did the jump last year ... exactly like Brunner. From LNA straight into NHL. The 1st year was ok ... meaning he was a legit player more on the 3rd than the 2nd pairing. Lots of dicsussions and controversy around him.

This year, after 1 year experience and one summer to train on specific aspects he is expoloding. In 4 games he is leading Montreal in points. (of course only 4 games)
2012 : 59 games 16pts
2013 : 4 games 5 pts.

I am not saying he will end up best scorer of the Habs ... but just highlighting that the adjustment between big and small ice, and between NHL and NLA is big ... hence until adjusted ... a lot of potential is wasted.

Long story made short : i think that he'll get a lot more efficient ... and may reach his cruising speed in terms of points production next yera. (projecting a Diaz alike adjustment curve)

I have absolutely no worries about Brunner because they guy takes incredible shots when he gets open. Ignore what he does along the boards and trying to beat players for now and just watch what he does in the times where he is open for a few moments. He has great hands and rips it at the net. Brunner will find a way to adjust to the smaller ice surface and N.A. playing style. In the mean time he has both Daytsuk and Zets to feed him. He will learn how to create space and get through defenders in time.

To me it is obvious he has adjustments to make but the tools are certainly there and he has amazing chemistry with Zets.

If he can be a consistent 20+ goal guy for the next 3-5 years, I'd be fine with that. We need to re-sign him first, though.

Of course, but there is no reason he'll give Holland a fair shot at re-signing him instead of going out to other teams and seeing what he can get. The Wings gave him a shot at the NHL and he has a very good understanding with Z. He may even take the hometown discount

If other teams want to overpay for him, they can go ahead, he isn't an elite winger.

It's pretty simple, Brunner can skate. So even if he doesn't turn into be some star player he'll always have an ability that Leino never had. Plus, Leino felt entitled, he always acted like the team owed him something. It's why he failed here and now in Buffalo.

Of course, but there is no reason he'll give Holland a fair shot at re-signing him instead of going out to other teams and seeing what he can get. The Wings gave him a shot at the NHL and he has a very good understanding with Z. He may even take the hometown discount

If other teams want to overpay for him, they can go ahead, he isn't an elite winger.

My problem is that I'm not sure what would qualify as overpaying him with this short season. If he goes out and puts up a stat line similar to what D2Z suggests below, that extrapolates out to a pretty decent 82 game season - one strikingly similar to what Hudler just put up but as a rookie. At the same time, it's a 48 game season and there's no telling how Brunner will react when we hit game 55 or 60 + the grind of the playoffs.

Which might work in our favor. Whatever questions we have, I have to think other teams would, too. And, as you said, he might favor us a bit because he's comfortable. Outside of something a bit nuts ($4-5m per), I'm not sure where you draw the line on overpaying.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DatsyukToZetterberg

Yep and if he has a 30 or 35 point season we could be in a bit of cap trouble. But assuming that he finishes the year with a stat line of 15 Goals, 15 Assists what kind of contract would you offer him? I think I'd be willing to give him 2 years x 6 Million total.

Yeah, I was thinking somewhere between $2m and $3m is his likely cap hit for his next deal, and probably short term. Because of the shortened season, I think he's going to be a bit of a dice roll no matter what. And if he plays well, and all season, in our top6, we can't expect him to resign for $1.5m or something. He might do it, but that's something that I think would be a clear hometown deal.

As it is, I think we can say he skates hard, he goes to the net, and he works out there. Those qualities are good to keep around and probably worth a gamble.

If he stays on the top line, produces 30ish points he will probably get 2 years 2.5 per

Yeah wondering when you extend him, he might be easy to get done right now. It would be a gamble, but I have seen enough that I think we should jump on it before he starts climbing up the salary chart.

He may have 3-5 years at his peak before we'll see a drastic decline. But if he can adapt his game, there is no reason why he can't still be an effective player. Guys like Ray Whitney are way past their prime, but very much effective.

Yeah I wouldn't offer him a long term deal just yet. 2-3 years sounds about right. He's been our most consistent offensive threat in every game. Gotta give Babs some credit for scouting him and pushing the Wings to sign him.

If Howard plays really well this year, and he's looked decent so far, he is going to want big bucks and a long term deal. I like Howard, but I don't think he is a $5 million caliber goalie. Now if he was willing to sign a shorter deal (3 years or so) I'd be willing to go that high...anything over that and I wouldn't pay him a dime over $4... Plus we have Mrazek on the rise, and while its only the AHL, he is looking impressive so far. I'd sign a cost-efficient stopgap until Mrazek is ready, rather than overpay to keep Howard as a UFA. I'd rather spread out that money to improve the rest of the roster.

This seems like the most effective way to run a team during the cap era; you draft well, develop your players, sign UFAs as needed, and when players get too expensive, let them go for cheaper home grown talent.

I would definitely want Filppula back if he was willing to take a hometown discount. But with Jarnkrok on the way, he may become obsolete... Although I do like him on the wing, like I said depends on cost.

Brunner looks good so far. Optimally you get him for a few years for less than $3 million per and sign him to an extension later if he's looking good still.

If Howard plays really well this year, and he's looked decent so far, he is going to want big bucks and a long term deal. I like Howard, but I don't think he is a $5 million caliber goalie. Now if he was willing to sign a shorter deal (3 years or so) I'd be willing to go that high...anything over that and I wouldn't pay him a dime over $4... Plus we have Mrazek on the rise, and while its only the AHL, he is looking impressive so far. I'd sign a cost-efficient stopgap until Mrazek is ready, rather than overpay to keep Howard as a UFA. I'd rather spread out that money to improve the rest of the roster.

This seems like the most effective way to run a team during the cap era; you draft well, develop your players, sign UFAs as needed, and when players get too expensive, let them go for cheaper home grown talent.

I would definitely want Filppula back if he was willing to take a hometown discount. But with Jarnkrok on the way, he may become obsolete... Although I do like him on the wing, like I said depends on cost.

Brunner looks good so far. Optimally you get him for a few years for less than $3 million per and sign him to an extension later if he's looking good still.

Howard is definitely worth $5 million the way he played last season and the beginning of this one. I think he'll get right around that amount.